It's possibly been noted already, but I just want to point out that all of the ACC Presidents (including FSU, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Pitt) signed off on the lawsuit against Maryland to collect on the $52+ million exit fee.

If any of these teams was looking to leave the ACC, they wouldn't have done so.

I'm a little surprised that the ACC took Louisville because of their poorer academics vs. UConn--but I understand that it was a move that would appeal to FSU and, in retrospect, was probably part of the reason that they agreed to sign onto the lawsuit.

It's possibly been noted already, but I just want to point out that all of the ACC Presidents (including FSU, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Pitt) signed off on the lawsuit against Maryland to collect on the $52+ million exit fee.

If any of these teams was looking to leave the ACC, they wouldn't have done so.

I'm a little surprised that the ACC took Louisville because of their poorer academics vs. UConn--but I understand that it was a move that would appeal to FSU and, in retrospect, was probably part of the reason that they agreed to sign onto the lawsuit.

I disagree regarding the motives behind the lawsuit. Florida State (imo) signed it because they want to make Maryland the guinea pig. They're hoping Maryland wins because it would mean that FSU could bail as well.

So where does the Big 12 go now? Wait to see if FSU wants out? Stay at 10?

Big 12 should just sit back and wait this thing out. They are actually in a great position. They have spots, but they have plenty of cash coming in, so they aren't desperate to fill them. What's more is that their two main targets appear to be FSU and Clemson, and no other conferences are competing to scoop them up.

Of course, this changes if the Big 12 wants 14 or 16. If that's the case, they'd better hurry up, or 13-16 is going to be a band of misfits.

Of course, this changes if the Big 12 wants 14 or 16. If that's the case, they'd better hurry up, or 13-16 is going to be a band of misfits.

I assume this is one of the hold-ups, because FSU likely does not want to go to the Big 12 unless it is coming with a handful of other regional schools. Of course it is harder to get everyone on board when that many decision-makers are involved.

So where does the Big 12 go now? Wait to see if FSU wants out? Stay at 10?

Louisville wasn't in the B12's major plans. At one time they were when we were struggling to keep the conference together, but the new contract for the B12 is different than conferences pursuing the conference network strategy. The B12 gets larger pay outs per team based on the ratings the school drives when itplays, this is what Bowlsby means by "an electronic footprint". Louisville was in the neutral to negative impact, so we're not taking Louisville, especially if it just an increase of two teams.

Now, the rumors are that FOX has indicated they will beef up their contract if the B12 adds southeast schools. FOX does not have presence in that part of the country and they very much would like the inventory there. Further, even though Miami is in a lot of trouble and draws horribly for their games, they still move the needle when they play on TV. So, the B12 is now hoping for something like: Miami, FSU, Clemson, GT. Leave the last two spots open and see what shakes out.

The problem is that FSU is still holding out to see if it can get an SEC invite, despite the reality of such not being very good. That is their first choice. They would prefer a B1G invite to us as well, but I doubt the B1G is interested. Depending on what the B1G and the SEC do (and their expansion is primarily driven by their network/proposed network marketing strategy), with the prized NC-VA markets. B1G could look to a more northeastern school like UConn or even Syracuse.

Nobody in the ACC wants to be "the school" that kills the ACC, but UVA really wants to up their research opportunities that the B1G can provide, so I think that's the fulcrum point. If UVA goes, VT is free to go SEC, and then the Carolina schools have to make some serious decisions.

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You'll see it's all a show, keep 'em laughing as you go, just remember, the last laugh is on you, and always look on the bright side of life!

I disagree regarding the motives behind the lawsuit. Florida State (imo) signed it because they want to make Maryland the guinea pig. They're hoping Maryland wins because it would mean that FSU could bail as well.

If they hope Maryland wins, they shouldn't have signed the lawsuit. The lawsuit was going forward regardless.

It's a clear penalty provision and frankly, those are just rarely enforceable. They tied it to 'revenue' in order to make it look like an actual damages calculation for a breach, but they'd still have to establish that they're actually out the revenue. Otherwise the damages have been mitigated and all is well.

The ACC overplayed their hands there, IMO.

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"Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip"

The dismantling of the ACC and strengthening of the Big Four is coming. The only things that can stop it are high-priced lawyers.

“We’d be absolutely foolish to not watch Maryland,” one FSU official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Sporting News. “If or when they get out of (the $50 million buyout), everything changes. It’s almost like free agency.”

If that’s true, Maryland is the Curt Flood of college football. And it could lead to the one remaining mega move still out there: Florida State and Clemson to the Big 12.

If that happens, the two crown jewels of the ACC become available. Duke and North Carolina, which an ACC source said have been chased by the SEC for “the last three years,” will choose between the Big Ten and the SEC.

__________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry